The Dare

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

"Uh uh Debra, I said towel or robe not both so make your choice which you want and we'll discuss sleeping arrangements later on. It's not bedtime quite yet."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

I looked over at him, my jaw dropping. What the hell? Oh, so he was going to play it that way,huh? Reaching up under the robe, I jerked the towel free and drug it out without the robe opening and tossed it to him.

"Not bed time?" I asked as he caught the terry cloth fabric,"Correct me if I'm wrong but it would seem I got you out of bed." My eyes traveled up and down him, taking in his bare feet, pajamaed legs (wet from when he grabbed me in the shower), bare, broad chest and strong arms. I refused to let a streak of crimson caress my cheek from the feelings I got when I did take a good look at him. He already had me at a disadvantage. I wasn't giving him more.

"Besides," I said, dropping my gaze,"I'm tired and still woozy from the beer. I am going to have a hell of a hangover tomorrow and I would rather be able to sleep through most of it."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

Catching the towel and hanging it to dry, "And that's precisely the reason why it's not bed time yet."

"We're going to the kitchen and you'll have a bite to eat and something to drink.
"A sandwich, milk and asprin before bed and without any bitching either. Been drunk on my ass often enough to know what works and the shower was just the first step in No Hangover 101 Debra," he says taking her arm and leading her downstairs and into the big country kitchen.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

I clutched the robe around me as I was dragged down the stairs, stumbling most of the way and bumping into him quite often. I didn't want to eat, I didn't want anything but something soft under me and some nice shut eye. But I was not in the spot to tell him what I wanted. He was in charge and he was letting me know it.

Looking around the kitchen I couldn't help but let out a low sound of approval. Wow! And to think Old Man Withers lived here for so long all by himself. He must have rattled around in this place something fierce. At the thought of things rattling around, my gaze darted around again, but, this time, not in appreciation.

"Um...not that I believe the stories or anything," I said as I sat down at the table a bit nervously,"But...your grandfather was...well...there are alot of stories about him and..."

I bit my lip. How did you tell someone that their grandfather was a mean, crotchety old man who hated everyone? And that he was supposed to haunt this house that he had just moved into.

"What I'm trying to say," I tried again,"You haven't seen...anything...unusual in the house, have you. Like, oh....things omving, shadowy figures...your grandfather glowering at you from a window or anything?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

"Granddad will always be here Debra," he says as he begins making sandwiches and she sits at the kitchen table listening, "he built almost all of this house himself for Gramma after they married in the late 1800's.
"He had amassed a large fortune with prudent investments, good business sense and some dumb luck, but when Gramma died he went into what we know today is a deep depression and never left "their house" again so lost a lot of his money to a business partner he trusted. That made him incredibly bitter since he trusted the man, as I said, and thought he was a good friend.
"There'll aways be something of Granddad here, but I don't think he haunts the place as the stories say. I think that's just active imaginations at work."

Finished with the sandwiches by the time he's finished talking he pours two big glasses of milk and grabs a bottle of asprin from a cabinet, carries it all to the table and sits down across from Debra.

"Hope you like Peter Pan smooth peanut butter and jelly. It's my favorite and will replace carbos, the jelly sugar and the milk will coat your stomach.
"Don't forget take two or three asprin as you eat and drink."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

"Oh," was all I could say as he talked about his grandfather. I guess none of us really stopped to think about the elderly Withers as a real person. He was always known just as the man in the big house who hated everyone. Come to think of it, I guess we never stopped to ask ourselves why he did hate everyone and what we could do about it.

Accepting the sandwich, I took a bite and smiled at him in gratitude. Chewing slowly and taking a long drink of the milk, I got up enough nerve to ask him something that had been on my mind.

"So, Caleb, it sounds like you really liked your grandfather alot. How come no one ever has ever seen you around before now? I know I'm prying and you can tell me to get lost if you want but...this house has sat empty for a long time. We thought he didn't have any relatives or they didn't care about him or his things and would just let the place fall down."

I grabbed the bottle of asprin and took one, washing it down with milk and hoping that I hadn't stepped on taboo ground. I wasn't known for keeping my questions to myself. My instructors sometimes told me I was the cause of alot of grey hair and baldness not to mention stress.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

"Not a big mystery really. Mom married an Irishman and chose to live in Ireland where I was raised.
"Granddad paid for good schools for me and I'd visit as often as I could once I was old enough.
"I was finishing my university education when he died and it was exam time so I couldn't make the funeral.
"Afterward I travelled Europe on a motorcycle before coming here to claim all of my inheritance. I'm the last living relative.
"This house is field stone and heart pine. Even termites leave heart pine alone it's so hard and the roof's slate tiles.
"It'd take intentional demolition or a tornado hitting it to destory this house Debra."

"At least one and I'd suggest two more asprin."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

After a few more bites of sandwich, I downed the last two asprin and finished off my sandwich afterward. I guess I was hungrier than I thought. I sure had tasted good.

Pushing my plate away and pulling the milk toward me, I thought about what he had said.

"You really ought to get the cellar door fixed," I said at last,"Everyone knows about it and if a drunk woman can open it easily, it wouldn't be hard for anyone else to do it."


Taking another drink of milk, I ran a finger around the ring left by the glass, deep in thought.

"I guess we all just assumed some stuff. It's easier to think bad things about someone than it is to get to really know them, I guess." My brow furrowed,"So, by claiming all of your inheritance, does that mean you're settling in?
I don't know why I asked that one. Just something to interrupt the silence I guess. But that didn't explain why my ears perked up for an answer to the question.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

He laughs softly, "A damned hot looking drunk woman at that and one with sticky fingers too.
"A new insulated cellar door will be delivered and installed tomorrow or the next day depending on when the etching and engraving is finished to keep out such evil doers Debra."

"You're right it is, but Granddad wouldn't have been easy to get to know. Not at all.
"Yep, I'm here now and will set up my workshop in the basement shortly and live and work here.
"The town's stuck with me now."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

In spite of myself I had to laugh at that. I have always been told I have a nice laugh. It's low in tone, mellow with a bit of huskiness. And it's not faked, not like some women I know who use it to make themselves seem like someone thier not.

"Workshop, hum?" I said, ignoring his earlier statment,"And what, pray tell, do you do for a living?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

He chuckles and grins at her sexy laugh at his lil joke.

"I'm working on my disseration for my Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Part of it is developing a new type of machine for metal working. I'll apply for a patent for it and see if I can sell rights to manufacture to one of the big companies and I like woodworking as a way to relax."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

I nodded and said,"Wow! PhD. Sound like you have it all worked out. Wish I did. I think I am quickly becoming a professional student. I've changed my major so many times that the admin office knows me by name now. Last week I walked in to talk to someone about my scholorship and they automatically handed me the form for changing it again."

I wrinkled my nose, a habit I have when I know I should do something but can't make up my mind how to do it. "The scholorship is for track. YOu couldn't tell tonight but when I'm not drunk and scared out of my mind by thinking I have seen a ghost, I am pretty quick on my feet."

"I have to decide soon, though, It's either that or go home and that is not a place I want to be. Mom and dad aren't getting along too well and I hate being in the middle of the fighting."

I drained my glass of milk and set it down on the table. "I know it's a stupid excuse for drinking and partying...and then doing stupid shit like breaking and entering...but it's better than getting on the phone and calling home to hear them bitch about each other."

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb Withers:

"I changed twice before settling on mechanical engineering Debra so don't feel to badly, but sooner or later you'll run out of choices so it'd be a good idea to pick one and stick it out before that happens or the scholarship runs out, which they all do in time."

Laughing, "In that case I'm glad my burglar babe was plastered. Running isn't my thing, even though I jog a bit to keep in shape."

"I'm sorry to hear about the family problems and can understand why school is preferable.
"Partying is fine so long as it's not affecting your grades and as long as the drinking doesn't become habitual."

"Give me your glass Debra. A bit more milk and some dessert and it's bedtime for all good little boys and naughty little girls," he chuckles.

When Debra stretches across the table with the empty glass in her hand the top of the robe gaps uncovering most of one great looking boob.

Caleb takes the glass and appartently she isn't aware that now that she's sitting back in the chair again and not stretched across the table the gap is much wider and her entire breast is visible.

He enjoys the view for a few seconds and feels stirring once more in expected area as he imagines squeezing it as he sucks the nipple hard.

Then he gets up, with the beginning of a tent in his pajama bottom, and takes glasses to the refrig and fills them both. He cuts two pieces of cake from the bakery in town, grabs to forks from a drawer and ferries everything to the table before sitting down again.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

I blinked blearily and passed my glass to him. When he stood up, I yawned and reached to cover my mouth with my hand. It wasn't until I put that hand back down on the table that I remembered the beltless robe I was wearing and moved my hand to tighten the hold on the fabric, a tinge of red suffusing my cheeks.

Looking up at Caleb as he brought the cake and milk back, I wondered if he had seen me so exposed. Reaching for the cake, my gaze fell on his pajama bottoms and I had a feeling he had. More blood traveled to my cheek and I covered my embarrassment with a forkful of cake.

Chewing thoughtfully, I spoke without thinking. "This is good but one day I am going to have to make you a homemade cake. Besides running, I'm pretty handy in the kitchen."

I swallowed then, realizing I had imposed the thought that I would see him in a casual way after today. Sitting in the kitchen and talking to him like this, plus being so tired had let the fact that he had a very damning confession signed by me in his possession and our relationship was not one of casual friendship.

Stammering, I tried to correct myself. "I mean...you know...if you decide to not have me arrested and, maybe, after I work off my debt to you...if we still...talk and everything..."

Embarrassed beyond what I originally was, I hastily picked up my milk and drank before I could make any more of a fool of myself.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

He smiles at her discomfort and the clumsy attempt to cover what she'd first said.

"Well we can test that out in the morning Debra. You get to fix breakfast for us. How's that sound to you?
"By the way you look even lovlier when you blush. I just wonder how far down your body it went Debra.
"How about showing me the next time you blush so fetchingly and sexily so I can see for myself?" and his chuckle is low, almost lewd sounding, but he winks when she looks up at him and blushes a deeper red. Whether from what he said, what he suggested or his wicked little wink only Debra knows.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

I tried to ignore the comment but I could feel my body heat with something besides embarrassment at the way he said it. It was not a teasing kind of thing.

"Maybe," I said in a low voice with just a hint of a smile on my lips.

Good God, Girl I thought to myself What are you doing flirting with this man. You haven't known him but a few hours, you broke into his house and he has the power to send you to jail.

That stopped me cold. Don't get me wrong, I like flirting. I'm good at it. But what if he thought I was flirting with him just to get him not to go to the police? I don't know why that would matter to me but it did. I wasn't one of those girls who would use sex and her body to get what she wanted. Mainly because my mother was, one of the many things my parents fought about, and I had sworn never to be like that. I could see how miserable Father was and I didn't want to hurt someone I could possibly care about like that.

So, I did the only thing I could think of, I changed the subject. "So, Caleb," I said as I continued to eat my dessert, "What exactly do you like in your omlets?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

He laughs at her segue to a new topic and replies, "The usual, diced potatoes, diced green pepper and onion, a dash of garlic powder and salt and pepper.. oh, and perhaps some salsa too, mild salsa as I don't want to sear my tastebuds and miss any, umm, wonderful flavors." And he winks very broadly, very lewdly and grins at her.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

A flush came over me and it wasn't all embarrassment as he made the implication that what he wanted to taste was me. I swallowed the last of the cake and drained my second glass of milk and stood, taking both of our dishes to the kitchen.

Running some water for dishes, I found I had to let go of the robe to do them. Keeping my back firmly to Caleb, I began to wash the dishes, not commenting on the underlying tensions beneath his words.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

Before Debra can bolt from the table, and as soon as he sees her blush again, his eyes twinkle and he chuckles as he grins,"Oooo, now you get to show me just how far down it goes Debra."

"Uppie, uppie and and open the robe so I can see how far down your sexy body it extends Deb," he finishes mischief, and perhaps something else, dancingin his eyes.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

I blushed even deeper and kept a death grip on the robe. "I...I have to do dishes," I almost whispered,"It's only fair. You made dinner so I can do the dishes."

The fact that she almost wanted to open the robe to show him what lay underneath was almost as disturbing as the feelings that ran through her at the thought of having his eyes on her again. And maybe more. My God! She had only known this man for a few hours. What was she thinking?

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

"Come on, lemme see. Show me how far down it goes," he chuckles still, "Why not just take it off and I can watch you wash the dishes naked.
"Now that would be a real treat, as good as watching you showering."

"Ummm, unlessss of course your scared or chicken," he says in a mock child's teasing voice and then laughs.

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

My eyes opened wide at the dare and I swallowed. A dare was what got me into this in the first place and, if I took it, this one would get me deeper into something I didn't know if I was prepared to handle.

But something inside me made me drop my hands from my robe to let it slide open, catching on my breasts so that the sides of them were showing as was my pussy and the neatly trimmed hair there.

After a moment of exposing myself, I closed the robe again. "N...now I think I'll do dishes," I said, again trying to escape to the sink and some privacy.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb:

"Mmmm, all the way down to and including your great breasts. Guess I'll have to try harder Deb. See if I can get one alll the way down to your tasty looking pussy, if not a full body blush.
"Why don't you just take it off for me. It's not as if I have seen all of you already and didn't enjoy the hell out of looking and watching."

 

[BlueEyedLady]

Debra

At his suggestions, I lifted my chin and clutched the robe tighter. I was trying to fight a smile the whole time. Was I really enjoying this? I guess I could surprise even myself sometimes.

"Well," I said as I turned back to my task, my hips swaying purposely,"If you have already seen all of me than you have enough memories to last you, don't you, Mr. Withers?" I couldn't keep a low laugh from escaping though and wondered if he had caught it.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Caleb Withers:

He laughs and laughs then begins singing, "Memmmmoriessss..." as he watches her great ass move under the short terry robe.

"Well now I know you're chicken about some things anyway Deb," and he starts to laugh again at the reaction to that teasing.